British Openhttp://www.businessinsider.com/category/british-open
en-usFri, 09 Dec 2016 22:13:00 -0500Fri, 09 Dec 2016 22:13:00 -0500The latest news on British Open from Business Insiderhttp://static3.businessinsider.com/assets/images/bilogo-250x36-wide-rev.pngBusiness Insiderhttp://www.businessinsider.com
http://www.businessinsider.com/opening-bell-in-sports-july-18-2016-7The 3 plays in sports everybody will be talking about todayhttp://www.businessinsider.com/opening-bell-in-sports-july-18-2016-7
Mon, 18 Jul 2016 08:00:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p>Good morning! Here are the plays everybody will be talking about on Monday.</p>
<p><strong>Henrik Stenson won the British Open with some incredible putts.</strong> Stenson won his first career major at age 40, outdueling Phil Mickelson in the final round. Consider this: Mickelson had a one-stroke lead with 17 holes to play, shot a final-round 65, and yet still lost by three strokes. How? Because Stenson played one of the great final rounds in the history of the majors, especially over the final five holes. With the pair tied after 13 holes, Stenson would birdie four of the final five holes, a stretch that included some amazing putts. None were bigger than the 51-footer he drained from just off the green on No. 15. It was just the fourth birdie at the hole in the final round.</p>
<p><div>
<iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/yexe?muted=1&amp;autoplay=1&amp;hd=1" width="800" height="448" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe>
</div></p>
<p><strong>Phil Mickelson just couldn't catch a break</strong><strong>.</strong> In the first round, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/phil-mickelson-narrowly-misses-record-at-british-open-2016-7" target="_blank">Mickelson's putt on No. 18 hit a wayward blade of grass and detoured around the hole at the last second</a>. It was a putt that would have set the record for lowest round ever in a major, a 62. On Sunday it seemingly happened again. On No. 16, Mickelson had a long eagle putt that would have pulled him within one of the lead with two holes to go. Once again the putt looked good, only to take a left-hand turn at the last second and fail to fall in the hole. Even Stenson knew he got lucky there.</p>
<p><div>
<iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/z6uo?muted=1&amp;autoplay=1&amp;hd=1" width="800" height="448" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe>
</div></p>
<p><strong>Zach Eflin got a hit off of Jacob deGrom.</strong> Why are we showing a meaningless third-inning single? Because this was the only hit Jacob deGrom gave up in his masterful one-hit shutout. The only thing that came between deGrom and a no-hitter was a weak groundball up the middle by the opposing pitcher. Who knows how the game plays out if somebody gets to this grounder. But deGrom's stuff was so good that even the announcers noted that the no-hitter was broken up with six innings to go.</p>
<p><div>
<iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/v7dw?muted=1&amp;autoplay=1&amp;hd=1" width="800" height="448" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe>
</div></p>
<p><strong>A gorgeous-goal-in-MLS bonus</strong>. Our Monday bonus comes from Major League Soccer and the left foot of 19-year-old Jack Harrison. The English midfielder showed some nifty footwork to elude one defender, and once he had a little bit of space he curled the ball past a second defender and the keeper.</p>
<p><div>
<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/5ZqjhUZ2BJB/embed/simple?audio=0" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0">
</iframe>
<script async src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/opening-bell-in-sports-july-18-2016-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cristiano-ronaldo-spends-money-soccer-futbol-real-madrid-portugal-sports-2016-6">CRISTIANO RONALDO: Here’s how the world’s highest paid athlete makes and spends his money</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/henrik-stenson-putts-win-open-championship-2016-7Henrik Stenson beats Phil Mickelson at the British Open with 3 incredible putts on the final 5 holeshttp://www.businessinsider.com/henrik-stenson-putts-win-open-championship-2016-7
Sun, 17 Jul 2016 14:13:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/578bcb1688e4a779638b8558-800/2016-07-17_13-11-16.jpg" alt="Henrik Stenson" data-mce-source="NBC"></p><p></p>
<p>Henrik Stenson won The Open Championship on Sunday in an epic showdown with Phil Mickelson.</p>
<p>With the rest of the field falling off the pace, Stenson and Mickelson went back and forth in the final round. But it was the final five holes where Stenson took off — one of the greatest stretches of golf you will ever see to close out a major — to break a tie and ultimately win by three strokes.</p>
<p>With both golfers tied after 13 holes, Stenson would birdie four of the five final holes, a stretch that include three incredible putts.</p>
<p>The first came on No. 14. This clutch putt gave Stenson a lead with four holes to play.</p>
<p><div>
<iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/7eo9?muted=1&amp;autoplay=1&amp;hd=1" width="800" height="448" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe>
</div></p>
<p>The biggest putt came on No. 15, where there had only been three birdies in the final round.</p>
<p>Stenson just missed the green and left himself 51 feet from the hole. This is a spot where most golfers would be content with a two-putt and a par. But Stenson was on fire on Sunday, so of course he went for the hole and seemed to know it was going in from the moment it left his putter.</p>
<p><div>
<iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/yexe?muted=1&amp;autoplay=1&amp;hd=1" width="800" height="448" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe>
</div></p>
<p>The reactions by Stenson and Mickelson say it all. Stenson was pumped up. Mickelson could only grin.</p>
<p><div>
<iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/qmu8?muted=1&amp;autoplay=1&amp;hd=1" width="800" height="448" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe>
</div></p>
<p>While Stenson was seemingly making every putt on the back nine, Mickelson couldn't seem to get the big ones to fall. His run at an eagle on No. 16 came up just short. It was a putt that was reminiscent of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/phil-mickelson-narrowly-misses-record-at-british-open-2016-7" target="_blank">his putt on No. 18 in the first round that would have set the record for lowest round ever in a major</a>.</p>
<p>This putt would have momentarily tied the score — Stenson would birdie a moment later <span>— and Stenson seemed to know he had caught a break.</span></p>
<p><span><div>
<iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/z6uo?muted=1&amp;autoplay=1&amp;hd=1" width="800" height="448" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe>
</div></span></p>
<p><span>Stenson's final big putt was set up by a bit of luck. Still leading by two, Stenson's drive on No. 18 stopped about 12 inches short of going into the fairway bunker. If the ball rolls another foot or so, a playoff between the two golfers would have been a real possibility.</span></p>
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/578bca8788e4a78c148b8a04-1484/snapshot_20160717_130749.jpg" alt="Snapshot_20160717_130749" data-mce-source="NBC"></p>
<p><span>Instead, Stenson got onto the green in regulation for the 56th time in 72 holes — tops among all golfers in The Open — where a simple two-putt would have been enough to win. But Stenson wouldn't need two as he drained the first putt in championship fashion to reach 20-under and win The Open by three.</span></p>
<p><span>What a putt!</span></p>
<p><span><div>
<iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/svdh?muted=1&amp;autoplay=1&amp;hd=1" width="800" height="448" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe>
</div></span></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/henrik-stenson-putts-win-open-championship-2016-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/golfboard-hoverboard-golf-cart-2016-7">Watch how hoverboards are transforming golf carts</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/paul-howard-bunker-shot-open-championship-2016-7Crazy bunker shot shows just how hard the 'Postage Stamp' hole is at the British Openhttp://www.businessinsider.com/paul-howard-bunker-shot-open-championship-2016-7
Fri, 15 Jul 2016 08:24:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5788d4ac88e4a7d9068b83fd-1920/snapshot_20160715_071003.jpg" alt="Snapshot_20160715_071003" data-mce-source="The Golf Channel"></p><p></p>
<p>Hole No. 8 at Royal Troon is nicknamed the "Postage Stamp" because of its small green, and despite its short length (123 yards), it is <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/british-opens-royal-troon-postage-stamp-2016-7" target="_blank">arguably the most difficult hole at this week's Open Championship</a>. We got a glimpse of why in the second round.</p>
<p>After a beautiful day in Round 1 that led to some low scores, the weather took a dramatic turn in Round 2. At one point, English golfer Paul Howard found himself in one of the greenside bunkers at the eighth hole.</p>
<p>Being in a bunker that is deeper than the golfers are tall is hard enough. But on top of that, it's uphill another 20 feet to reach the green. These conditions led to this wild shot in which Howard got the ball out of the bunker only to see it roll around for a while before settling back in the bunker.</p>
<p><div>
<iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/iefo?muted=1&amp;autoplay=1&amp;hd=1" width="800" height="450" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe>
</div></p>
<p>Wow. Maybe they should nickname that bunker "The Black Hole."</p>
<p>Howard, who was 1-under up to that point in the second round and 1-over overall, went on to bogey the hole.</p>
<p>The "Postage Stamp" strikes again.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/paul-howard-bunker-shot-open-championship-2016-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jesse-ventura-salutes-colin-kaepernick-nfl-2016-11">Why Jesse Ventura salutes Colin Kaeperkick for his national-anthem protest</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/opening-bell-in-sports-july-14-2016-7The 3 plays in sports everybody will be talking about todayhttp://www.businessinsider.com/opening-bell-in-sports-july-14-2016-7
Fri, 15 Jul 2016 08:00:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p>Good morning! Here are the plays everybody will be talking about on Friday.</p>
<p><strong>Phil Mickelson's best round ever at a major was ruined by one bad break.</strong> Mickelson shot an opening-round 8-under 63 at the Open Championship. It was his best round ever at a major — at age 46 <span>— and set the course record at Royal Troon. But sadly, what will be remembered is a missed putt. On No. 18, Mickelson had an 18 footer to become the first golfer to shoot 62 at a major. Mickelson hit a perfect putt. As he described it, the ball was in the middle of the cup with a foot to go. But then it hit something, maybe a wayward blade of grass, veered to the right slightly, and then lipped out of the cup. Afterwards, Phil said he wanted to cry.</span></p>
<p> <div>
<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Phil Mickelson came SO close to a low major score of 62 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheOpen?src=hash">#TheOpen</a> <a href="https://t.co/n91YpkelLG">pic.twitter.com/n91YpkelLG</a></p>— The Open (@TheOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheOpen/status/753642817231130624">July 14, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Chaos hits the Tour de France as Chris Froome ran part of the race without a bike.</strong> Crashes happen at the Tour de France, but you may never see one crazier than what happened to Froome in Stage 12. Thanks to a crowded section of the road a kilometer from the finish line, Froome and two others crashed into the back of a motorbike that suddenly stopped. A second motorbike hit Froome from behind, breaking the frame of his bike. Froome then started running up the mountain as he waited for a new bike to arrive. Meanwhile, Adam Yates passed Froome to take the overall lead in the race. However, later, Tour officials reinstated Froome as the leader and allowed him to keep the yellow jersey and a slight lead (<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chris-froome-runs-up-ventoux-climb-tour-de-france-2016-7" target="_blank">read more here</a>).</p>
<p> <div>
<iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/2rp2?muted=1&amp;autoplay=1&amp;hd=1" width="800" height="448" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe>
</div></p>
<p> <div>
<iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/pra5?muted=1&amp;autoplay=1&amp;hd=1" width="800" height="448" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe>
</div></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span>Miguel Angel Jimenez holed out from the fairway and did a little dance</span>.</strong> The Most Interesting Golfer in the World is <span>Miguel Ángel Jiménez, and in the first round of the Open Championship he did some interesting things. Specifically, on No. 16, Jimenez holed out from the fairway. He then did a little dance, because why not, he's Miguel Angel Jimenez.</span></p>
<p><div>
<iframe src="http://vplayer.nbcsports.com/p/BxmELC/gc_embedplayer/select/Y_PXrHFaJseY" height="450" width="800" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" style="border:0;padding:0;margin:0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>
</div></p>
<p> </p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/opening-bell-in-sports-july-14-2016-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cristiano-ronaldo-spends-money-soccer-futbol-real-madrid-portugal-sports-2016-6">CRISTIANO RONALDO: Here’s how the world’s highest paid athlete makes and spends his money</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/phil-mickelson-narrowly-misses-record-at-british-open-2016-7Phil Mickelson came within a half-inch of setting the record for the lowest round ever at a majorhttp://www.businessinsider.com/phil-mickelson-narrowly-misses-record-at-british-open-2016-7
Thu, 14 Jul 2016 14:22:15 -0400Emmett Knowlton
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5787d1f588e4a725238b7e9c-1280/gettyimages-547328044.jpg" alt="Phil Mickelson" data-mce-source="Mike Ehrmann/Getty"></p><p></p>
<p>Phil Mickelson leads the British Open after a bogey-free opening round of 63 from Royal Troon on Thursday. However, a birdie putt on 18 that lipped out and settled half an inch from the cup was all that kept him from becoming the first golfer to ever shoot a 62 at a major championship.</p>
<p><span>"It was right in the center of the hole with a foot to go," Mickelson <a href="http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/17077239/phil-mickelson-shoots-major-record-tying-63-first-round-open-championship">said while watching the replay.</a> "</span>I've seen all these highlights and I feel like crying."</p>
<p>Mickelson becomes the 28th golfer to shoot a 63 at a major. And he was this close to making history:</p>
<p><div>
<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Phil Mickelson came SO close to a low major score of 62 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheOpen?src=hash">#TheOpen</a> <a href="https://t.co/n91YpkelLG">pic.twitter.com/n91YpkelLG</a></p>— The Open (@TheOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheOpen/status/753642817231130624">July 14, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></p>
<p><span>"That was a chance to do something historical right there and to miss it that way ..." he added.</span></p>
<p><div>
<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.000%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/1sn0?muted=1&amp;autoplay=1&amp;hd=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen scrolling="no" style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
</div></p>
<p><span>Mickelson wasn't the only one aware of all the history on the line with that putt. His caddie, watching from the edge of the green, fell over when it didn't go in:</span></p>
<p><span><div>
<h1></h1>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="3" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; width:100%; max-width:100%; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px); width:658px">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div>
</div>
<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://instagram.com/p/BH2bvpwjAi1/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">The view from the crowd as Phil Mickelson comes within a whisker of a Major Championship record 62. Congrats on the course record 63, Phil. #TheOpen</a>
</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#c9c8cd; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A video posted by The Open (@theopen) on Jul 14, 2016 at 10:37am PDT on
<time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-07-14T17:37:26+00:00">Jul 14, 2016 at 10:37am PDT</time></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
</div></span></p>
<p>It's one thing to have a chance for a 62 and dump your approach into the bunker. It's another to miss by the absolute smallest of margins.</p>
<p>Mickelson will, of course, undoubtedly take a 63 to open the British. His previous low score at a major had been a 65. But that's the cruel thing about golf: Even a major-leading round of 63 can have you pulling your hair out.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">But just look at that!</span></p>
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5787d62388e4a77c708b7b63-523/screen%20shot%202016-07-14%20at%202.11.59%20pm.png" alt="Phil Mickelson British Open" data-mce-source="NBC"></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/phil-mickelson-narrowly-misses-record-at-british-open-2016-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-mob-gambling-ties-national-football-league-secrets-2016-11">The secret history of the NFL's mob and gambling ties</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/british-opens-royal-troon-postage-stamp-2016-7Why the shortest hole at this week’s British Open is also one of the hardesthttp://www.businessinsider.com/british-opens-royal-troon-postage-stamp-2016-7
Thu, 14 Jul 2016 10:19:17 -0400Emmett Knowlton
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/57878fda4321f172088b8104-1280/gettyimages-547247036.jpg" alt="Royal Troon Postage Stamp" data-mce-source="Stuart Franklin/Getty"></p><p></p>
<p>The 145th British Open teed off Thursday morning from Scotland's Royal Troon, which is famous for its short and menacingly difficult par-3 8th hole: the Postage Stamp. </p>
<p>Short holes aren't always the easiest: think of the island green at Sawgrass's 17th, or better yet, just ask Jordan Spieth about Augusta's 12th. At just 123-yards, the Postage Stamp is shorter than both of those holes, and arguably more difficult. </p>
<p>For one thing, the green is minuscule (hence the hole's name), and it runs so fast that even if you do manage to stick your tee shot, you still might find your ball rolling into the rough. If you go over by just 10 yards, meanwhile, the rough drops down 10 feet. </p>
<p>And then there are the bunkers. The green runs off to the right, so if you land your ball on that side and you'll find yourself in the trap.</p>
<p>You can't even see the bottom of most of the bunkers:</p>
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5787965188e4a79f178b7d4e-1280/gettyimages-476576944.jpg" alt="Royal Troon Postage Stamp" data-mce-source="David Cannon/Getty">In a practice round leading up to this year's tournament, Rory McIlroy needed six shots just to get himself out of a bunker and onto the green:</p>
<p><span><div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rkk2lK0hfc0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></span></p>
<p> Looks like fun!</p>
<p>The Postage Stamp has, of course, also produced some aces. There was Ernie Els in 2004 and, most famously, 71-year-old Gene Sarazen in 1974. But when the wind is howling, the Postage Stamp is bound to produce more high scores than low. </p>
<p>Tiger Woods found a bunker in 1997 en route to a triple bogey on his final round. <a href="http://www.golfdigest.com/story/watch-rory-mcilroy-make-a-9-at-royal-troons-postage-stamp?mbid=social_twitter">In 1950</a>, a German amateur named <span>Hermann Tissies reportedly recorded a 15. Bubba Watson posted a triple here on Thursday.</span></p>
<p>It's absolutely brutal. Or, as the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/12/sports/golf/at-royal-troon-some-twists-and-turns-but-one-tiny-patch-of-green-stands-out.html?em_pos=large&amp;emc=edit_nn_20160714&amp;nl=morning-briefing&amp;nlid=64503059&amp;_r=0">Scot's like to call</a> the Postage Stamp, a "wee beastie." </p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/british-opens-royal-troon-postage-stamp-2016-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nike-deal-cristiano-ronaldo-spends-money-real-madrid-2016-11">Cristiano Ronaldo just signed a lifetime deal with Nike reportedly worth $1 billion — here's how he makes and spends his money</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/billy-hurley-iii-explains-why-skipping-british-open-2016-634-year-old golfer who just won his first PGA event has an excellent explanation for why he’s skipping a major tournamenthttp://www.businessinsider.com/billy-hurley-iii-explains-why-skipping-british-open-2016-6
Wed, 29 Jun 2016 09:59:26 -0400Morgan J. Wolf
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5773d02a88e4a727008b4d09-1500/billy hurley iii.jpg" alt="billy hurley iii" data-mce-source="Patrick Smith/Getty" /></p><p></p>
<p>Billy Hurley III is going to have to wait for another shot at the British Open.</p>
<p>Hurley, 34, won his first PGA Tour event on Sunday at the Quicken Loans National, earning a spot in the Open for the second time in his career.</p>
<p>However, Hurley realized he had a scheduling conflict that would make the Royal Troon in Scotland wait: He has a wedding to attend.</p>
<p>"I wouldn't miss my sister's wedding for the world, and I think that at this point in time for me and my family and the trajectory of our family, it's very important for me to be there to support her and her new husband," <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2016/06/28/billy-hurley-iii-skip-british-open-/86478442/">Hurley told USA Today</a>after winning the Quicken Loans National.</p>
<p>He continued: "It was a pretty easy decision at the end of the day. She tried to not really influence me a ton on Sunday night, but I called her while I was playing, and she started crying. I mean, so she was pretty thrilled that I'll be there."</p>
<p>Score one for the family!</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/billy-hurley-iii-explains-why-skipping-british-open-2016-6#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/vince-mcmahon-wwe-wrestling-territories-wcw-ted-turner-2016-11">The epic story of how Vince McMahon created WWE and conquered pro wrestling</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/tiger-woods-spear-fishing-british-open-2016-4A crazy story about Tiger Woods shows that he was never as obsessed with golfing greatness as everybody thoughthttp://www.businessinsider.com/tiger-woods-spear-fishing-british-open-2016-4
Thu, 21 Apr 2016 13:10:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/571905ef9105844d018be250-1032-774/rtx1kr0f.jpg" alt="Tiger Woods" data-mce-source="Russell Cheyne/Reuters" /></p><p>Long before Tiger Woods' fall from grace and the injuries that derailed his career, the public image was one of a golfer consumed with golf, beating Jack Nicklaus' record, and becoming the greatest golfer ever.</p>
<p>But the more we learn about Tiger Woods' life away from the course, it is becoming clear that this couldn't have been further from the truth.</p>
<p>We have already <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tiger-woods-explains-jack-nicklaus-majors-poster-2015-12" target="_blank">seen glimpses of this</a>, and now we have an even better picture&nbsp;of the real Tiger Woods in a lengthy story written by Wright Thompson for ESPN the Magazine, called "<a href="http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/15278522/how-tiger-woods-life-unraveled-years-father-earl-woods-death" target="_blank">The Secret History of Tiger Woods.</a>"</p>
<p>While that story goes into great detail about many of the stories we already knew a little about (his flirtation with joining the Navy SEALs, his infidelities, etc.) there is one story that didn't make the final edit and may be the best indication yet of where Woods' priorities were, even at his peak.</p>
<p>Thompson was a guest on ESPN Radio's "Mike &amp; Mike" to discuss Woods. During their discussion about the image of Tiger being a "golfing robot," Thompson brings up one story he uncovered that was cut from the final draft.</p>
<p>It was 2002 and Woods had won the first two majors of the year, the Masters and the US Open. There was only one month between the US Open and the Open Championship at Muirfield in Scotland. Woods was scheduled to play in one tune-up event, the Western Open in Chicago two weeks earlier.</p>
<p>As Thompson puts it, Woods called in sick. He didn't play.</p>
<p>It turns out, Woods wasn't sick. He just wanted to go spear fishing instead. From Thompson:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">I accidentally found out, because I was talking to all the people he spear fishes with. Dude was like, 'man, he wasn't sick, he was spear fishing with me.' And he was like, "We were on a boat called the Jolly Roger II." I talked to the captain of the boat and the dive master, and they were like, "he wasn't sick, he was on our boat spear fishing."</p>
<p>Here is <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/tiger-withdraws-citing-illness/article4137157/" target="_blank">how Reuters reported the illness in 2002</a>:</p>
<p class="selectionShareable" style="padding-left: 30px;">Tiger Woods, who is halfway to winning all four majors in a calendar year, may compete at this month's British Open without having played a tournament since the U.S. Open last month.</p>
<p class="selectionShareable" style="padding-left: 30px;">The world No. 1 was scheduled to compete in the Western Open this week, but withdrew yesterday, citing an unspecified illness.</p>
<p>Woods went on to finish 28th at the Open Championship before finishing second at the PGA Championship.</p>
<p>When asked what he thought that tells us about Woods, Thompson said it shows us that Woods has always been more than just a golfer.</p>
<p>"He wants a life. Golf is important to him, but he has interests outside of this," Thompson said. "There is this whole other thing that has happened in private the entire time we have been watching him that feels real and authentic to him but bears almost no resemblance to the guy in the red shirt on Sunday."</p>
<p>Amazing. Here is Woods in 2002. He has won seven of the last 11 major championships and is going for something nobody has ever accomplished, winning all four majors in one year in the modern era. But he wasn't consumed by that. He just wanted to go spear fishing.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tiger-woods-spear-fishing-british-open-2016-4#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-wonderlic-test-rookie-questions-iq-2016-11">Take the IQ test that every rookie has to take</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-flew-home-johnson-drank-trophy-2015-7Jordan Spieth flew home on a private jet with the guy he lost the British Open to and drank out of the trophyhttp://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-flew-home-johnson-drank-trophy-2015-7
Wed, 22 Jul 2015 10:21:52 -0400Tony Manfred
<p>After missing out on a chance to win the British Open with a disappointing bogey-par finish in the final round, Jordan Spieth seemed to take his missed chance at history well.</p>
<p>On Monday night <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/golf/headlines/20150721-jordan-spieth-flew-home-with-british-open-winner-zach-johnson-drank-from-claret-jug-because-why-not.ece">he flew back to the US with a group of American golfers that included Zach Johnson</a>, the Open champion. They hopped on a private jet, keeping the Claret Jug well protected (via Johnson's caddie Damon Green):</p>
<p><div>
<div id="fb-root"></div>
<script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207016743927340&amp;set=a.1259240851434.2039437.1542055443&amp;type=1" data-width="500">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207016743927340&amp;set=a.1259240851434.2039437.1542055443&amp;type=1">Post</a>
by
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/#">Damon Green</a>
.
</div>
</div>
</div></p>
<p class="embed-spacer"><div>
<div id="fb-root"></div>
<script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207016743847338&amp;set=a.1259240851434.2039437.1542055443&amp;type=1" data-width="500">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207016743847338&amp;set=a.1259240851434.2039437.1542055443&amp;type=1">Post</a>
by
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/#">Damon Green</a>
.
</div>
</div>
</div></p>
<p class="embed-spacer">On Tuesday Johnson <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=411&amp;v=rpCVbtZENyY">went on "The Dan Patrick Show" and talked about the trip</a>:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"We actually flew home together last night. It was fun. It was fun. It was interesting. We had a bunch of guys on the plane and a bunch of friends and family, my wife, clearly, and my caddie. A bunch of other individuals too — Horschel, Dufner, Jimmy Walker, Webb Simpson, Harris English. Good friends. It's strange, our sport may be odd. We try to beat other's heads in but when it comes down to it we're going to be the first to applaud and share in the moment."</p>
<p>It looked like a great time. Spieth might not have won, but at least he got to drink out of the Claret Jug:</p>
<p><div>
<div id="fb-root"></div>
<script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207016744967366&amp;set=a.1259240851434.2039437.1542055443&amp;type=1" data-width="500">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207016744967366&amp;set=a.1259240851434.2039437.1542055443&amp;type=1">Post</a>
by
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/#">Damon Green</a>
.
</div>
</div>
</div></p>
<p class="embed-spacer"> <div>
<div id="fb-root"></div>
<script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207016744567356&amp;set=a.1259240851434.2039437.1542055443&amp;type=1" data-width="500">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207016744567356&amp;set=a.1259240851434.2039437.1542055443&amp;type=1">Post</a>
by
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/#">Damon Green</a>
.
</div>
</div>
</div></p>
<p class="embed-spacer">Spieth has had a borderline unprecedented degree of success at his age. As a result, he hasn't had to deal with adversity. It'll be fascinating to see how he bounces back from this in the next few months. While drinking on a private jet with the guy who beat him in the Open doesn't tell us much about how he'll react to what happened at St. Andrews when he gets back on the course, everything we've seen so far suggests he'll do just fine.</p>
<p class="embed-spacer"><div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>
Customs Agent: "Do you have anything to declare?"
Zach: "Just this" <a href="http://t.co/HRPkrt0HCk">pic.twitter.com/HRPkrt0HCk</a> </p>— Webb Simpson (@webbsimpson1) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/623841895244935170">July 22, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></p>
<p class="embed-spacer"> </p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-flew-home-johnson-drank-trophy-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-students-jump-rope-unison-china-2015-6">This mesmerizing video of Chinese students jumping rope in unison is going viral</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/zach-johnson-interview-british-open-2015-7Zach Johnson breaks down during interview after winning the British Openhttp://www.businessinsider.com/zach-johnson-interview-british-open-2015-7
Mon, 20 Jul 2015 17:09:31 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/55ad5965371d22c6178b6a92-1920-1088/snapshot_20150720_152138.jpg" alt="Zach Johnson" data-mce-source="ESPN" /></p><p></p>
<p>Zach Johnson won the Open Championship with a great run in the final round that included <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/zach-johnson-wins-british-open-2015-7">a long putt on the 72nd hole and a win over&nbsp;</a><span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/zach-johnson-wins-british-open-2015-7">Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman in a 4-hole playoff</a>.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span>It was Johnson's second major championship and first since winning the Masters back in 2007. In doing so, he became <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/623215786346311682">just the sixth golfer to win majors at both Augusta National and St. Andrews</a>, two of the most storied courses, joining an <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/zach-johnson-wins-british-open-2015-7">impressive list of Hall of Fame golfers</a>.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>After the tournament, Johnson&nbsp;broke down during an interview with ESPN's Tom Rinaldi.</p>
<p>On the&nbsp;heartbreaking nature in which his opponents came up short:&nbsp;"You don't want to see a tournament end on a miss, I hate that and Louis is a champion, and a friend."</p>
<p>On what this win means to him: "I've come a long way since 2007. That kinda launched my golf career. I think what this does, if anything, is really put things in perspective for me ... Because I play golf for a living and I am grateful for that. It's a beautiful game and it provides great opportunity and I'm proud to be a part of great people. I'm just so thankful."</p>
<p>You can see the entire interview here.</p>
<script src="http://player.espn.com/player.js?playerBrandingId=4ef8000cbaf34c1687a7d9a26fe0e89e&amp;adSetCode=91cDU6NuXTGKz3OdjOxFdAgJVtQcKJnI&amp;pcode=1kNG061cgaoolOncv54OAO1ceO-I&amp;width=576&amp;height=324&amp;externalId=espn:13290083&amp;thruParam_espn-ui[autoPlay]=false&amp;thruParam_espn-ui[playRelatedExternally]=true"></script><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/zach-johnson-interview-british-open-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/batman-arkham-knight-gameplay-video-2015-5">Here's the best look yet at the next big game starring Batman</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-british-open-putt-2015-7Jordan Spieth comes up just short at British Open with a heart-breaking final three holeshttp://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-british-open-putt-2015-7
Mon, 20 Jul 2015 15:34:43 -0400Scott Davis
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/55ad46012acae78a008b8373-1200-900/jordan spieth.jpg" alt="jordan spieth" data-mce-source="Streeter Lecka/Getty" /></p><p></p>
<p>Jordan Spieth was the talk of the golf world going into the final round of the British Open.</p>
<p>Trailing by one on the final three holes of the tournament, Spieth was looking for his third straight major of the year&nbsp;and keeping alive hopes of a grand slam.</p>
<p>On the 16th hole, Spieth nailed an amazing putt for a birdie that tied him for the lead with Zach Johnson and Marc Leishman.</p>
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/55ad37b32acae716008b8258-621-351/jordan spieth birdie on 16.gif" alt="Jordan Spieth birdie on 16" data-mce-source="Via Streamable" data-link="http://streamable.com/b3q0" /></p>
<p>Entering a critical 17th hole where he needed par just to stay in the mix for first, Spieth collapsed, shooting a bogey at the worst possible time:</p>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/55ad4c44371d22dc0b8b71d8-600-336/untitled-1.gif" alt="Jordan Spieth GIF" data-mce-source="ESPN" /></p>
<p>The 16th and 17th holes may have been a fitting end for Spieth.&nbsp;He ranks second in the tour on putts from 15-25 feet, but only 122nd on putts from within 10 feet.</p>
<p>The miss&nbsp;dropped Spieth to -14, only one off the lead, but put a ton of pressure on him to birdie the final hole and make&nbsp;the playoff a four-man race.</p>
<p>Instead, Spieth's approach on 18 spun back into the Valley of Sin. Needing to sink this putt, he gave it a good run, but just missed and the hopes for a grand slam were gone.</p>
<p><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/55ad416c371d2212008b7ea7-621-351/jordan spieth bogey.gif" alt="Jordan Spieth bogey" data-mce-source="Via Streamable" data-link="http://streamable.com/o87g" /></p>
<p>Spieth tried his best to shake off the miss, but <a href="http://espn.go.com/golf/theopen15/story/_/id/13289484/2015-open-jordan-spieth-falls-just-short-playoff-st-andrews">in an interview with ESPN</a> after he finished,&nbsp;described his finish as "tough" and "tough to swallow," noting "it stings" to come up that short:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"Just tough ... just tough. You don't expect to make the putt from down in the gulley, but I wanted to give it a good effort. It had a chance to go in, and I was still a little upset about being down there instead of having a really solid opportunity."</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">...</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"Right now, it's just a tough feeling to be that close in a major. It doesn't matter about the historical element of it. Just to be that close on our biggest stage and to come up just short ... you know, how many chances do you get?"</p>
<p>Ultimately, if there's a player on the tour that people aren't too worried about, it's Spieth. At just 21 years old, Spieth is&nbsp;golf's next star. As he noted, coming so close to a major stings, but he has ample time to do it.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-british-open-putt-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-facts-bio-british-open-golf-2015-7">7 awesome facts about golf phenom Jordan Spieth</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/zach-johnson-wins-british-open-2015-7Zach Johnson wins British Open after forcing a playoff with huge putt on the 72nd holehttp://www.businessinsider.com/zach-johnson-wins-british-open-2015-7
Mon, 20 Jul 2015 14:58:02 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/55ad43de2acae716008b82df-2521-1891/gettyimages-481415870.jpg" alt="Zach Johnson" data-mce-source="Stuart Franklin/Getty Images"></p><p></p>
<p>Zach Johnson won his second career major championship with a win at the Open Championship in a 4-hole playoff over Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman.</p>
<p>Johnson shot a 6-under 66, but still needed to sink a long putt on the final hole of regulation to reach 15-under and force a playoff (<a href="http://thebiglead.com/2015/07/20/zach-johnsons-caddie-danced-after-his-golfer-ended-his-open-championship-with-a-birdie-15/">via The Big Lead</a>).</p>
<p><iframe width="720" height="404" frameborder="0" src="http://streamable.com/e/50j8?autoplay=1&amp;muted=1"></iframe></p>
<p>Johnson has now won majors at Augusta National and St. Andrews. If he never wins another major, that is a heck of a golf resume.</p>
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/55ad5bb02acae7c7018b826e-1920-960/snapshot_20150720_153054.jpg" alt="Zach Johnson" data-mce-source="ESPN"></p>
<p>Here is another view of the putt and the incredible celebration by both Johnson and his caddie.</p>
<p><div>
<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/e6JpBUVTUZI/embed/simple?audio=0" width="480" height="480" frameborder="0">
</iframe>
<script async src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></p>
<p class="embed-spacer"> </p>
<p>After winning the playoff, all that was left was a kiss for the Claret Jug.</p>
<p><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/55ad4faf371d222e008b7f18-3976-2982/rtx1l3xq.jpg" alt="Zach Johnson" data-mce-source="Reuters"></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/zach-johnson-wins-british-open-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-facts-bio-british-open-golf-2015-7">7 awesome facts about golf phenom Jordan Spieth</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-facts-bio-british-open-golf-2015-77 awesome facts about golf phenom Jordan Spiethhttp://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-facts-bio-british-open-golf-2015-7
Mon, 20 Jul 2015 13:32:00 -0400Graham Flanagan
<div><div>
<script src="https://apis.google.com/js/platform.js"></script><div class="g-ytsubscribe" data-channel="BusinessInsider" data-layout="full" data-count="default"></div>
</div></div>
<p class="embed-spacer"></p>
<p>Golf superstar Jordan Spieth already holds two major championships. Check out these facts about the young phenom who has taken over the world of golf. <br><br><em>Produced by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/author/graham-flanagan" target="_blank">Graham Flanagan</a><br></em><br><strong>Follow BI</strong> <strong>Video: </strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BusinessInsider.Video?ref=br_tf" target="_blank">On Facebook</a></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-facts-bio-british-open-golf-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/paul-dunne-british-open-winnings-2015-7Paul Dunne could lose $1.8 million at the British Open because he wants to compete in an international amateur competitionhttp://www.businessinsider.com/paul-dunne-british-open-winnings-2015-7
Mon, 20 Jul 2015 11:51:15 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/55ad11c6371d22a40e8b79cf-3324-2493/gettyimages-480886876.jpg" alt="Paul Dunne" data-mce-source="Stuart Franklin/Getty Images" data-mce-caption="Paul Dunne will have to reassess what is most important after the Open."></p><p>One of the biggest stories entering the final round of the Open Championship is amateur rookie <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/paul-dunne-amateur-open-championship-2015-7">Paul Dunne from Ireland who was tied for the lead after 54 holes</a>.</p>
<p>That Dunne has a chance to be the first amateur to win the Open since 1930 is amazing. However, he took a big gamble staying an amateur and now it has a chance to cost him millions both on and off the course.</p>
<p>If Dunne were to go on and win the Open, the first thing he will miss out on is the $1.8 million share of the purse. That money will instead be “distributed proportionately among the professional players who have made the cut," <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/theopen/11750460/The-Open-2015-prize-money-What-does-the-winner-earn-and-what-happens-if-an-amateur-wins.html">the </a><span><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/theopen/11750460/The-Open-2015-prize-money-What-does-the-winner-earn-and-what-happens-if-an-amateur-wins.html">Royal &amp; Ancient Golf Club announced</a>.</span></p>
<p>Dunne is also missing out on huge endorsement possibilities. Like Jordan Spieth, Dunne has been decked out head-to-toe at the Open in Under Armour gear. But since he is an amateur, the apparel company can't pay Dunne even though the exposure has been worth millions for the company.</p>
<p><div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>
Under Armour got $1.725M worth of TV ad time on Paul Dunne’s apparel today, per <a href="https://twitter.com/ApexMGAnalytics">@apexMGAnalytics</a>. Not bad for someone they don't pay. </p>— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/622828922158321664">July 19, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></p>
<p class="embed-spacer"> </p>
<p>But as for now, Dunne remains an amateur even though he completed his career as a college golfer at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and the reason is because he wants to compete in the Walker Cup later this year, <a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/amateur-paul-dunne-shines-bright-in-the-st-andrews-gloom-1.2289149">according to the Irish Times</a>. </p>
<p>Similar to the Ryder Cup, the Walker Cup is an international competition for amateur golfers representing the United States and a joint team from Great Britain and Ireland.</p>
<p>The possibility of playing in the Walker Cup must be extremely tempting for Dunne who was not a part of the 2013 team that lost to the United States and may never get the opportunity to play in the Ryder Cup. However, now he has to weigh that temptation against a financial one that may be even greater.</p>
<p>While Dunne is already assured of missing out on prize money at the British Open, he could still cash in after the tournament through endorsements. If he remains an amateur until after the mid-September Walker Cup there is a risk that his endorsement appeal will fade.</p>
<p>That could be too much of a risk to pass up.</p>
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/55ad122f371d22a10e8b7ad7-3280-2460/gettyimages-481397170.jpg" alt="Paul Dunne" data-mce-source="Stuart Franklin/Getty Images"></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/paul-dunne-british-open-winnings-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/waterfall-climbing-fish-goby-evolution-hawaii-2015-5">Scientists are astonished by these Goby fish that can climb 300-foot waterfalls</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-british-open-quote-2015-7Jordan Spieth had a fantastic answer when asked about the pressure of going for his 3rd straight major championshiphttp://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-british-open-quote-2015-7
Mon, 20 Jul 2015 10:13:58 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/55acfb522acae76e098b69a7-2768-1384/gettyimages-480891680.jpg" alt="Jordan Spieth" data-mce-source="Andrew Redington/Getty Images" /></p><p></p>
<p>Jordan Spieth has a chance to win his third straight major championship on Monday as he enters the final round of the British Open just one stroke behind the leaders.</p>
<p>Spieth, 21, quickly erased any thought about cracking under pressure with one fabulous answer when ESPN asked him about thinking of what was at stake during the final round. Spieth is clearly a player whose head is in a good place right now.</p>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/55ad1be0371d22472c8b5a65-1368-913/03.png" alt="Jordan Spieth Quote" data-mce-source="Getty Images" /></p>
<p>Spieth went further during his post-round news conference, talking about how he approached pressure as a positive.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">As far as handling it, I don't look at it as a negative thing, I look at it almost as an advantage. Why should it add more pressure in a negative way? If it adds more pressure, it just makes me feel like this is something that's a little more special, let's go ahead and get the job done. I know it's easier said than done, but when you say added pressure, most people associate that with negativity or something that can hinder what's comfortable. For me, I think it could be advantageous. You hit the ball a little bit further, you can really get your mind around a more specific target and block out other things.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Now that is an athlete who knows the power of positive thinking.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-british-open-quote-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/t-shirt-cannon-new-york-mets-launcher-video-2015-6">REVEALED: The science behind the super-powerful T-shirt cannon</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/paul-dunne-amateur-open-championship-2015-7The co-leader of the British Open is a 22-year-old amateur who nearly missed his qualifying tee timehttp://www.businessinsider.com/paul-dunne-amateur-open-championship-2015-7
Mon, 20 Jul 2015 08:38:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/55ac69d92acae70f008b7f38-1580-790/ap_403878783968.jpg" alt="Paul Dunne" data-mce-source="AP"></p><p></p>
<p>Jordan Spieth still has a shot to win his third major of the year at the Open Championship. But the bigger story with one round to play is one of the co-leaders sitting one stroke ahead of Spieth, a 22-year-old amateur from Ireland also clad head-to-toe in Under Armour, Paul Dunne.</p>
<p>Dunne, who just completed his senior season at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, sits at 11-under after three rounds, tied with two others, and yet it almost never happened.</p>
<p>Dunne needed to finish among the top three in the final qualifying event for the Open at the end of June but was nearly disqualified when he arrived just one minute prior to his tee time, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/golf/article-3161525/The-Open-2015-Nine-amateurs-hoping-pros-shock-Home-Golf.html">according to the UK Daily Mail</a>.</p>
<p>Dunne was starting his round on the 10th hole and did not allow for enough time for the shuttle bus to get him to the tee, <a href="http://www.skysports.com/golf/the-open/news/14866/9918353/a-profile-of-paul-dunne-the-irish-amateur-leading-the-144th-open">according to Sky Sports</a>. He went on to shoot 9-under in the 2-round event to win by three strokes.</p>
<p>And just how unlikely is it that Dunne has a legit shot to win the Open? Consider this:</p>
<p><strong>1. Dunne is ranked <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnStrege/status/622812379978399748">80th in the world among amateurs</a>.</strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/55ac66382acae7c7018b7d93-600-291/02.gif" alt="Paul Dunne" data-mce-source="ESPN"></strong></p>
<p><strong>2. Dunne is the <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/622816066000027652">first amateur since 1927</a> to have a share of the lead heading into the final round.</strong></p>
<p><strong><div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>
Amateurs to hold 54-hole lead in an Open at St Andrews, all-time
2015 Paul Dunne
1927 Bobby Jones (won)
1892 John Ball (T2) </p>— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/622824415361941505">July 19, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></strong></p>
<p class="embed-spacer"> </p>
<p><strong>3. He has only been playing serious golf for 10 years, <a href="http://www.skysports.com/golf/the-open/news/14866/9918353/a-profile-of-paul-dunne-the-irish-amateur-leading-the-144th-open">according to Sky Sports</a>.</strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/55ac66c5371d2254008b7a6e-2664-1998/gettyimages-82202625.jpg" alt="Paul Dunne" data-mce-source="Andrew Redington/Getty Images"></strong></p>
<p><strong>4. As a senior at UAB, Dunne didn't win a single tournament for a program that is not even ranked among the top-25 in the country.</strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/55ac67f32acae7b7188b7b05-826-504/7-19-2015%2010-09-10%20pm.png" alt="Paul Dunne" data-mce-source="YouTube/UAB Athletics"></strong></p>
<p><strong>5. His best round as a senior was 67. He shot 66 in the third round at St. Andrews.</strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/55ac63cb371d2278018b79ee-600-301/01.gif" alt="Paul Dunne" data-mce-source="ESPN"></strong></p>
<p><strong>6. His caddie at the Open is Alan Murray, his coach at UAB.</strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/55ac64b02acae711008b7e6d-4031-3023/gettyimages-480887032.jpg" alt="Paul Dunne and Alan Murray" data-mce-source="Stuart Franklin/Getty Images"> </strong></p>
<p><strong>7. As an amateur, Dunne will have to forgo his $1.8 million in prize money.</strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/55ac689b371d2211008b7af1-2602-1952/ap_452571339246.jpg" alt="Paul Dunne" data-mce-source="Jon Super/AP"></strong></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/paul-dunne-amateur-open-championship-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/song-made-using-coins-drummer-music-video-2015-7">This drummer created a whole song using only the sound of coins</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/road-hole-at-st-andrews-is-one-of-the-hardest-holes-ever-2015-7A small change made one of the most iconic holes in golf the hardest hole in British Open historyhttp://www.businessinsider.com/road-hole-at-st-andrews-is-one-of-the-hardest-holes-ever-2015-7
Fri, 17 Jul 2015 09:06:15 -0400Tony Manfred
<p><img class="full" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/55a8f9432acae74c2f8b5103-1435-717/road-hole-bunker-donald.jpg" alt="road hole bunker donald" data-mce-source="European Tour"></p><p>During the first round of the British Open, the par-4 17th hole at St. Andrews — the iconic Road Hole — was the hardest hole since the tournament started keeping stats in 1982, <a href="http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/road-hole-st-andrews-doesnt-give-birdie-day-1/">according to Ryan Lavner of the Golf Channel</a>.</p>
<p>The average score was 4.833 on the par 4, and there wasn't a single birdie:</p>
<p><div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>
156 golfers played hole 17 in Rd1
0 birdies (0%)
54 pars (35%)
102 bogey or worse (65%) </p>— Cork Gaines (@CorkGaines) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/622017002954080257">July 17, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></p>
<p class="embed-spacer">The golf world saw this coming. The Road Hole has always been one of the toughest par-4 holes in golf, especially since St. Andrews lengthened it to 495 yards before the 2010 Open. But in advance of the 2015 Open, organizers made it even more difficult by taking away one of the traditional (if unusual) ways of playing the hole — missing left intentionally.</p>
<p class="embed-spacer">The Road Hole Bunker, a deep bunker off the left front of the green, has been tweaked so that it collects more wayward approach shots. The bunker itself is the same size, but the area around it is now angled so balls will feed right into the trap.</p>
<p class="embed-spacer">You can get a sense of it here as Luke Donald climbs out of the bunker. It's now designed so that anything close to the bunker goes in it:</p>
<p class="embed-spacer"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/55a8f591371d2215008b738c-1432-713/screen%20shot%202015-07-17%20at%208.30.01%20am.png" alt="luke donald road hole" data-mce-source="ESPN"></p>
<p class="embed-spacer">It's a steep grade:</p>
<p class="embed-spacer"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/55a8f729371d22dd2e8b6437-628-349/luke-donald.gif" alt="luke donald" data-mce-source="ESPN"></p>
<p class="embed-spacer">It's easy to see the problem here. With a literal road and out-of-bounds to the right and a treacherous bunker that eats everything to the left, players either have to be perfect or go way long and left on their second shots. When you factor in that many players are hitting long irons or 3-woods to even reach the green, it's a nearly impossible task to make birdie:</p>
<p class="embed-spacer"><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/55a8f69e2acae719008b7795-1000-566/road-hole-bunker.jpg" alt="ROAD HOLE BUNKER" data-mce-source="Golf Channel" data-link="http://www.golfchannel.com/media/shackelford-road-hole-bunker-looks-volcano/?cid=twitter-md-v-road-hole-volcano-071315"></p>
<p class="embed-spacer">In <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/theopen/11741997/The-Open-2015-Nick-Faldos-hole-by-hole-guide-to-St-Andrews.html">an article for The Telegraph before the tournament</a>, Nick Faldo broke down the Road Hole and said it's "all about whether the pin is located behind the Road Hole bunker." Well, that's exactly what happened yesterday, and it was historically hard as a result.</p>
<p class="embed-spacer">Jordan Spieth, who made bogey on the 17th after finding the bunker, was one of the most outspoken players after the round, basically calling the hole unplayable.</p>
<p class="embed-spacer">"And then 17 today, you purposely try and miss the green on the second shot. There's almost no other way around it," <a href="http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=111270">he said</a>. "That kind of takes away the point of the hole, but at the same time, it's the Road Hole at St. Andrews, and today's pin position is really the only time you can't really play the hole."</p>
<p class="embed-spacer">Earlier in the week, golf writer Geoff Shackleford <a href="http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2015/7/13/the-road-hole-was-looking-so-much-better-and-then.html">criticized the redesign</a>, calling the landscaping around the bunker "volcano walls."</p>
<p class="embed-spacer">Still, even if the players find it unfair, the 17th is one of the most fun holes in golf. The tee shot over the hotel still looks awesome, and the split fairway leads to a variety of drives:</p>
<p class="embed-spacer"><div>
<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/ergzlmgr1w3/embed/simple?audio=0" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0">
</iframe>
<script async src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></p>
<p class="embed-spacer">And even if players find the bunker, you can get great shots like this. They're just few and far between:</p>
<p class="embed-spacer"> <div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>
Nice shot out of the Road Hole bunker by Luke Donald <a href="http://t.co/YpF8Vo2DeO">pic.twitter.com/YpF8Vo2DeO</a> </p>— Michael Shamburger (@mshamburger1) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/621645878105747456">July 16, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/road-hole-at-st-andrews-is-one-of-the-hardest-holes-ever-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/adderall-add-adhd-amphetamine-drug-effects-body-2015-6">What Adderall is actually doing to your body</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/dustin-johnson-leading-british-open-after-us-open-meltdown-2015-7One month after a meltdown at the US Open that many thought would haunt him, Dustin Johnson is on fire at the British Openhttp://www.businessinsider.com/dustin-johnson-leading-british-open-after-us-open-meltdown-2015-7
Thu, 16 Jul 2015 17:10:25 -0400Scott Davis
<p><img class="full" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/55a80d7d2acae716008b75ce-1200-900/dustin%20johnson.jpg" alt="dustin johnson" data-mce-source="David J. Phillip/AP"></p><p>Dustin Johnson surprised the golf world by coming out at the British Open on fire.</p>
<p>Johnson leads the pack after Round One at seven-under. He had five birdies and one eagle without a single bogey.</p>
<p>It comes less than a month after <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dustin-johnson-us-open-greens-chambers-bay-2015-6">a brutal meltdown on the 18th green at the US Open</a>. Johnson missed a long putt that would have won the tournament, then missed his next putt to tie, ceding the title to Jordan Spieth.</p>
<p><div>
<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/e5uZ9JdiXml/embed/simple?audio=0" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0">
</iframe>
<script async src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></p>
<p class="embed-spacer">Johnson has often had trouble closing out tournaments — he lost the 2010 U.S. Open after holding a three-shot lead going into the final round. Heading into the British Open, Johnson <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/golf/dustin-johnson-puts-u-s-open-meltdown-behind-him-heading-into-open-championship">explained why he skipped the trophy presentation</a> — "I had had enough. It was time to get out of there" — and said he cleared his head afterward with a family vacation.</p>
<p>A month later he seems to be back on track:</p>
<p><div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>
Dustin Johnson is tied for the lead. Clearly no hangover from last month's U.S. Open heartbreak. </p>— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/621655117973073920">July 16, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></p>
<p class="embed-spacer"><div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>
How does Dustin Johnson bounce back from a 3-putt on the 72nd hole to lose the US Open? He ties his lowest rd in a major-65. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/boom?src=hash">#boom</a> </p>— Kelly Tilghman (@KellyTilghmanGC) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/621677130238283776">July 16, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></p>
<p class="embed-spacer">Golfer Zach Johnson <a href="http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports/golf/article27272134.html#storylink=cpy">explained to Garrett Johnson of Myrtle Beach Online</a> how Dustin Johnson has been so resilient:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"When he’s coming off a debacle or mistake he still gets himself back into contention, and clearly that’s what you have to do as an athlete. That’s what you certainly have to do as golfer. Clearly Dustin has that trait, which is tremendous because it’s not the easiest thing to find or even bring out.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"He’s got that mental ability to forget about whether it was last week, two weeks ago. He can forget about the last thing, whatever sort of debacle, he can bring his game right back up and get back into contention. Part of it is because he’s just a freak talent."</p>
<p>Though Dustin is still lacking his first major, he's been one of the top competitors in golf for several years now. As European Tour member Joost Luiten told Garrett, it's only a matter of time until Dustin wins one.</p>
<p>"He’s such a great player, he will win majors," he said. "He’s so young and he can overpower golf courses. He’s so good. He will win majors and no one will think about that anymore."</p>
<p>Adding to the intrigue of Johnson's early lead is that he's been paired with Spieth, who trails him by just two shots. <a href="http://espn.go.com/golf/theopen15/story/_/id/13267871/dustin-johnson-opens-7-65-take-early-lead-open">Spieth noted after the first round</a> that he'll have to play his best and be more tactical to match Dustin's strength:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"If D.J. keeps driving it the way he is, then I'm going to have to play my best golf to have a chance... I've played enough golf with him to where I believe in my skill set, that I can still trump that crazy ability that he has. I expect when he stands on the tee it's going to up there miles and down the fairway. I also expect that I can birdie each hole when I stand on the tee -- it just happens to be a different route."</p>
<p>Of course, given Johnson's history of collapsing down the stretch, he'll have to prove that he can handle the pressure of the next three rounds. He holds a slim lead heading into Round Two, when the weather is expected to take a turn for the worse, but that early lead could be huge for Johnson's confidence in getting over a disastrous finish at the US Open. </p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dustin-johnson-leading-british-open-after-us-open-meltdown-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cristiano-ronaldo-ab-machine-ad-portugal-workout-japan-2015-7">Watch Cristiano Ronaldo star in a bizarre ad for his Japanese ab machine </a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-british-open-round-one-2015-7Jordan Spieth caught a huge break in his first round at the British Openhttp://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-british-open-round-one-2015-7
Thu, 16 Jul 2015 16:19:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/55a804c6371d2215008b7109-1500-947/gettyimages-480746508.jpg" alt="Jordan Spieth" data-mce-source="Matthew Lewis/Getty Images" /></p><p></p>
<p>Jordan Spieth was <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-flying-blind-british-open-2015-7">flying blind into this week's Open Championship</a>, not arriving at St. Andrews until Monday and risking his chances to win his third major with only limited practice and the possibility of still suffering from jet lag. But by teeing off early in the first round, when the weather was calm and conditions were perfect, Spieth caught a&nbsp;lucky break.</p>
<p>Spieth took advantage of the&nbsp;conditions in what was his&nbsp;first round at St. Andrews as a pro to put together five birdies in the first seven holes on his way to a 5-under 67.</p>
<p>How important was it to tee off early? Of the first 147 golfers to complete the first round, only 23 shot a round in the 60s (3-under or better). Of those, 16 were shot by&nbsp;golfers in one of the first 17 groups to tee off. Spieth was in group No. 17.</p>
<p>The early morning conditions were exactly what Spieth needed to get off to a good start.&nbsp;By the afternoon, things had started to take a turn for the worse. While Spieth was in a light sweater. Players in the afternoon&nbsp;were in cold weather gear.</p>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/55a8093d371d22c6178b5c20-1495-724/gettyimages-480934908.jpg" alt="British Open" data-mce-source="Getty Images" /></p>
<p>Rickie Fowler even had snow gloves to keep his hands warm, and looked an awful lot like the little brother from "A Christmas Story."</p>
<p><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/55a809af371d22c6178b5c29-1707-1066/snapshot_20150716_134101.jpg" alt="Rickie Fowler" data-mce-source="ESPN" /></p>
<p>To make things even better for Spieth, the weather for the second round is expected to flip-flop. Afternoon golfers in Round 1 will tee off early in Round 2. While forecasts had been calling for rain in the afternoon on Friday, that won't be the case now.</p>
<p>The official weather report for Round 2 is now "spells of heavy rain between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m., winds from 18 to 35 mph," according to ESPN. By the afternoon, things will look much different and the golfers will only have to battle the wind.</p>
<p>Spieth will be one of the last ten groups to tee off in the second round, with his group scheduled to go off at 2:34 p.m. local time.</p>
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/55a80c33371d22ce178b6eeb-1059-732/7-16-2015 2-46-56 pm.jpg" alt="British Open" data-mce-source="Weather.com" /></p>
<p>With the rain and the wind, there will likely be few rounds in the 60s in Round 2. But golfers who tee off later could&nbsp;have a better chance of avoiding bad scores.</p>
<p>In other words, early in Round 1 may end up being the only time all weekend that golfers will really get a chance to attack the golf course. Spieth did and&nbsp;in doing so, he avoided the rough start many feared because of his decision to play in the US the week before.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-british-open-round-one-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-students-jump-rope-unison-china-2015-6">This mesmerizing video of Chinese students jumping rope in unison is going viral</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/whats-wrong-with-tiger-woods-2015-7The scariest part of what's wrong with Tiger Woods right nowhttp://www.businessinsider.com/whats-wrong-with-tiger-woods-2015-7
Thu, 16 Jul 2015 15:20:00 -0400Tony Manfred
<p><img class="full" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/55a7ff752acae70f008b75a3-1200-900/tiger-woods-british-open-round-one.jpg" alt="tiger woods british open round one" data-mce-source="Matthew Lewis/Getty Images"></p><p>The most jarring part of Tiger Woods' string of bad performances in 2015 is that there's no consistency to his badness.</p>
<p>One week he can't putt. The next week he can't drive. The week after that he can't hit an iron shot with any sort of distance control.</p>
<p>We know why he's struggling: He's in the middle of changing his swing at the same time as he's returning from major back surgery at age 39. But those reasons aren't expressing themselves in any consistent way on the course. Golfers of every skill level dread the two-way miss — where you can't stop hooking it or slicing it, and thus can't isolate the problem that's plaguing your game. Well, Tiger has something like a generalized version of that for his entire golf game. So much is wrong that it's hard to see him fixing it all anytime soon.</p>
<h3><strong>In February his short game was so bad people thought he had the chipping yips:</strong></h3>
<p><div>
<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/Ot5B9YLBqJh/embed/simple?audio=0" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0">
</iframe>
<script async src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></p>
<p class="embed-spacer">These short game issues still pop up every once in a while:</p>
<p class="embed-spacer"><div>
<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/eMQajwmPgdI/embed/simple?audio=0" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0">
</iframe>
<script async src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></p>
<h3 class="embed-spacer"><strong>At the Greenbrier in July his putting was so bad he had the best distance to the hole statistics of his career but still finished 32nd:</strong></h3>
<p><div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>
This chart <a href="https://twitter.com/BillCooney4653">@BillCooney4653</a> put together is nuts. Tiger's best proximity weeks and where he finished. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/putting?src=hash">#putting</a> <a href="http://t.co/yr3wHabDlj">pic.twitter.com/yr3wHabDlj</a> </p>— D.J. Piehowski (@DJPie) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/618150861731155968">July 6, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></p>
<p class="embed-spacer">He <a href="http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=110923">said after the final round</a>, "<span>I obviously needed to make some putts today, and it was just one of those days where the putts that I read perfectly and were hit right still lipped out. The putts that I didn't hit well weren't going to go in. Even my putts I made, took a step, they didn't go in."</span></p>
<p class="embed-spacer">Those issues seem to have followed him to St. Andrews:</p>
<p class="embed-spacer"><div>
<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/ervJaeBh5QD/embed/simple?audio=0" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0">
</iframe>
<script async src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></p>
<p class="embed-spacer"> </p>
<h3><strong>In the first round of the British Open he hit nearly every fairway, but somehow only hit half the greens in regulation.</strong></h3>
<p>He was ranked 12th in fairways hit, but 135th in greens in regulation:</p>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/55a7f9092acae7cc3f8b4d4d-777-324/tiger-woods-greens-stat.jpg" alt="TIGER WOODS greens stat" data-mce-source="Open" data-link="http://www.theopen.com/Leaderboard#!/traditional"></p>
<p>While it's not tough to hit fairways at the wide-open St. Andrews, he was putting himself in solid position, but just had no control of his irons:</p>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/55a7b939371d22ce178b6b58-500-274/02.gif" alt="Tiger Woods" data-mce-source="ESPN"></p>
<h3><strong>At the US Open in June, only three guys in the entire field hit fewer fairways than Tiger, and one of them had to withdraw:</strong></h3>
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/55a7fa942acae72c008b7589-997-693/tiger-woods-driving.jpg" alt="TIGER WOODS DRIVING" data-mce-source="US Open" data-link="http://www.usopen.com/en_US/scoring/stats/fir.html"></p>
<p>Woods was driving it all over the place, forcing him into second shots like these:</p>
<p><div>
<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/eie2Dpv9ln9/embed/simple?audio=0" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0">
</iframe>
<script async src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></p>
<p class="embed-spacer">So we have chipping, putting, driving, and distance-control issues. It's really an "all of the above" type of situation for Tiger in 2015.</p>
<p class="embed-spacer">To complicate things even further, Tiger is having trouble translating his progress on the range to progress when it counts. At the Greenbrier, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tiger-woods-swing-right-now-2015-7">CBS showed a great video of Tiger's range drive and competition drive side-by-side</a>. It showed that he's rushing things on the course.</p>
<p class="embed-spacer"><div>
<iframe width="620" height="349" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aO3-fqitzkw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></p>
<p class="embed-spacer">At the very least, this suggests he's not entirely comfortable with his new swing and doesn't have it committed to muscle memory yet. If you want to be more pessimistic, it suggests he has to overcome a mental hurdle to do what he does in practice when it counts.</p>
<p class="embed-spacer">Everyone who cares about golf wants to see Tiger Woods get back to the point where he's contending in majors. But considering the sheer variety of problems he's fighting through right now, it'll likely take longer than we think.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/whats-wrong-with-tiger-woods-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/specialized-s-works-venge-vias-bike-tour-de-france-2015-6">The cycling world can't stop talking about this new superfast bike going into the Tour de France</a></p>